St Andrews Flag

St Andrew was one of Jesus' apostles who taught The Gospel throughout Scythia, Epirus
and Achaia. He was crucified in Patras, Achaia where he preached to the crowds for 2 days
- managing to convert many listeners before dying. He thought himself unworthy
to be crucified in the same way as Jesus and requested to be crucified in another manner -
hence the shaping of the white cross. He is also the patron saint of Russia.

Legend has it that St Rule (Saint Regulus), was charged with the safe keeping
of St Andrew's relics after experiencing a vision in which he was told to take certain of his bones to the most westerly part of the known world by an angel. This he did at a place called Kilrymont, where
he built a church and became
the first bishop - the town later became known as St Andrews. St Andrew's day is celebrated on the 30th of November.

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National Flag Scotland

In 832AD Angus MacFergus the High King of Alba was defending the land with his army of
soldiers against an English invasion lead by Northumbrian warrior Athelstane. Thinking that they were facing a superior force King Angus began to pray. He thought his
prayers had been answered when he saw a saltire shape in the clouds of a white St Andrew's
Cross on the blue sky and promised that if they won the day with Saint Andrew's help, he
would be adopted as Scotland's patron saint. The Scots won the battle and from that day it became the national flag of Scotland and the emblem of the Scottish people.

In the churchyard at Athelstaneford, East Lothian, it always flies and is
floodlit at night.

By 1286 the seal of Scotland bore the crucified image and the saltire appeared
in coin by about 1350. By 1385 an Act of Parliament bade that any Scot's soldier invading England
would wear a white St Andrew's cross. This lead to many Chieftains adopting it to their
family arms and standards. By 1500 it started to appear on flags at sea and on the
land.

In 1542 the Royal Arms of James V featured the saltire. It became the national
flag whilst at sea in 1606 which also saw the first Union flag combining St George's and St
Andrews.

Most modern buildings that host flags have the Union Jack and the St Andrew's flag flying side
by side.

The saltire is said to be one of the oldest national flags of any country.

The flag of the United Kingdom - known as the Union Flag or Union Jack - is made up from
the flags of Scotland, England (the Cross of Saint George) and Ireland (the Cross of Saint
Patrick).

There is no official shade of blue laid down - dark blue and pale sky blue has all been used. Nor is
there an official size - although a ratio of 5:3 is generally used.

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Use discount code SR1601 at checkout for 10% off & free delivery on orders with a subtotal over £30 at Donald Russell, cannot be used with any other discount codes and will not apply to half price steak selections: